Published 11/09/25
When a call comes in from an unfamiliar number, it might feel fleeting and harmless. However, for many people, specifically women, these seemingly innocuous moments can turn into something far more serious. Studies indicate that women report scam attempts and victimization at higher rates than men.
At iCaughtYou, we believe that confidence starts with clarity. Knowing how and why these scams happen allows you to protect yourself. In this post, we’ll unpack the factors that make women more vulnerable to phone‑based scams, illustrate how scammers adapt their tactics, and equip you with practical steps to stay ahead of unwanted calls or threats.
1. Why the Disparity?
There are several overlapping reasons women tend to face a higher risk of scam attempts, especially by phone.
a) Emotional and relational framing
Scammers frequently exploit emotions, relationships, trust, and personal connection Those factors often align with how women are socialized. For example, reports of “romance” or connection‑based scams indicate women make up a high proportion of victims. When a caller frames the interaction as a concern, plea, or “help me” scenario, it can trigger a response more easily from a woman.
b) Contact patterns and availability
Women often handle more of the day‑to‑day communication (calls, texts, social outreach) in homes or families, which can open more “touchpoints” for scams.
Also, phone‑based approaches can leverage urgency or trust (“this is your bank”, “this is a friend in trouble”) that mimic real domestic or relational scenarios.
c) Financial inequality and risk exposure
Broader financial dimensions matter too. According to research by the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), women bear disproportionate risk in digital financial services and are more exposed to fraud or misuse. Lower thresholds for risk, combined with greater odds of being targeted, raise vulnerability.
d) Reporting and comfort‑levels
Interestingly, data suggest women report scam attempts more often than men. The BBB study found women made up about 65% of reported scam victims versus 35% men. Reporting may not guarantee prevention, but it does reflect a higher attempted targeting rate.
2. The Phone‑Based Scam Playbook
Now that we’ve established “why more often”, let’s look at “how”. Phone‑based scammers deploy specific tactics that often align well with the vulnerabilities noted above:
Caller ID spoofing / hidden number: The caller appears to be someone you trust (your bank, a service provider) or uses a blocked/unknown number making you assume it’s “safe”.
Urgency and pressure: “You owe money”, “Your account will be frozen”, “Your friend is in jail”. This triggers a rush, and rushed calls reduce your chance to think through the situation.
Relational framing: “I’m your daughter’s friend”, “I’m from the utility company”, “This is your bank manager”. These cues tap into trust and relational assumptions.
Asking for “help” or payment in non‑standard forms: Gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, secrets. These forms are hard to trace and easy to disguise.
Multiple touches and follow‑ups: The scam often doesn’t stop with one call. Once contact is established, the scammer may circle back, escalate, or shift to another channel (text, email).
Exploiting societal roles: Since women may more often manage household communications and finances, or may pick up calls while multitasking, the “in‑flow” nature of the contact means less time to pause and analyze.
When these tactics hit a person who is already more likely to pick up, respond, and trust the communication, the odds of something dangerous escalate.
3. What This Means for You
Understanding the “why” and “how” isn’t about instilling fear, it’s all about gaining power. At iCaughtYou, our goal is to help you turn frustration into confidence. Here are some implications:
Recognize that being targeted is about methods, not personal failure. If you pick up a call from an unknown number, it doesn’t mean you did anything wrong.
Trust your instincts. If a call or request makes you uncomfortable, treat it as “suspect” until proven otherwise.
Develop habits & protections rather than one‑time fixes. Scams evolve quickly, so your defence needs to adapt too.
4. How to Protect Yourself and Reduce Risk
Here are actionable steps you can take right now:
Screen calls: If the number is unknown or blocked, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers will usually leave a message.
Pause before you respond to urgency: If the caller claims something urgent (account freeze, kid in trouble, immediate payment required), hang up immediately. Then, verify the information by calling the known number of your bank, utility provider, or contact.
Avoid unusual payment methods: Gifting cards, wiring money, sending crypto are all big red flags.
Use a call intelligence tool like iCaughtYou to unmask hidden callers, record and recall suspicious calls, and blacklist recurring numbers. By doing this you proactively shift from reactive to protective.
Educate household contacts: If you live with others, share what to watch out for. Scams often target the “weak link” in the family’s communication chain.
Report the attempt if you suspect a scam. Reporting helps build awareness and tracking of scam patterns.
5. Why It Matters Now More Than Ever
Phone‑based scams are not static. According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, 68% of U.S. adults say they receive scam phone calls at least weekly. With more technology, remote communications, and increased use of voice‑methods (VoIP, spoofing), the threat is growing. Women, who are already more exposed to relational and trust‑based targeting, are therefore at an increased risk.
The good news: Greater awareness + stronger tools = fewer successful scams. When you know the tactics and have protections in place, you reduce your odds of being caught off guard.
Conclusion
Women face higher risk of phone‑based scams. But just to be clear: it’s not a sign of weakness. It’s simply because scammers know how to exploit relational trust, emotional triggers, and communication patterns. By recognizing the underlying dynamics, you step into clarity and choose protection.
At iCaughtYou, we believe you deserve to answer and not worry. You deserve a phone line that serves you, not unknown callers probing. Use this knowledge. Use your tools. And once again, step into your day with confidence.
For more on how iCaughtYou can help you unmask hidden callers, record unwanted calls, and blacklist persistent harassers, explore our homepage.